Guillaume de Machaut: The Captivating Architect of Medieval Music

Music Appreciation Class

About 15 years ago, I took a music appreciation class. I was not particularly motivated to learn about classical music—or as I thought of it, old music—but I was curious about this musical era and style. As a musician, I wanted to have at least a basic knowledge of every musical genre. My music appreciation class was okay, slow at times, but my curiosity for learning about music kept me going.

I was ready to learn about the giants of classical music—Beethoven, Bach, Handel, Chopin, and Mozart—but none of them truly captivated me. To me, they were normal, and maybe even boring at times. But then, one day, we talked about Guillaume de Machaut. When I first listened to his composition Puis qu’en oubli, I was mesmerized. I was engaged. I became focused, motivated, and inspired. His music felt familiar to me. Unlike the other composers, whose music sometimes felt commercial, his music felt spiritual and inclusive. To this day, I still listen to Guillaume de Machaut, and he remains one of the greatest discoveries from my music appreciation class.

Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300–1377) was one of the most significant composers and poets of the 14th century, shaping the course of Western music in ways that still resonate today. Born in the region of Champagne, France, Machaut lived during the late medieval period, a time of cultural and political transformation. He became a central figure in the Ars Nova movement, which introduced greater rhythmic and harmonic complexity to music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Machaut’s early life is somewhat obscure, but he is believed to have studied in Reims, where he later became a canon at the cathedral. His career was closely linked to John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia, whom he served as a secretary and notary for many years. This position allowed him to travel extensively across Europe, exposing him to diverse musical traditions that would influence his compositions.

Machaut’s Innovations and Most Popular Work

Machaut’s music is notable for its intricate polyphony and sophisticated use of isorhythm—a technique that organizes rhythms into repeating patterns. His most famous work, Messe de Nostre Dame (Mass of Our Lady), is one of the earliest complete settings of the Mass by a single composer. This monumental work set the standard for later choral compositions and is still performed today.

In addition to sacred music, Machaut composed secular songs, particularly in the forms of the virelai, rondeau, and ballade. His love songs, such as Douce Dame Jolie, are exemplary of medieval courtly love traditions and remain some of the most recognized pieces from the era.

Impact on Music from Then to Now

Machaut’s influence on Western music is profound. His innovations in rhythm, melody, and notation laid the groundwork for the development of Renaissance music. He was among the first composers to develop a personal style, an approach that would become a defining characteristic of later Western composers. His poetry and music were deeply interconnected, prefiguring the later union of music and text in opera and art song.

Modern composers and musicologists continue to study Machaut’s works, and his music is frequently performed by early music ensembles. His legacy lives on not just in historical study but in contemporary compositions that draw on medieval techniques. His influence can even be traced to modern polyphonic and avant-garde styles.

Guillaume de Machaut remains a towering figure in the history of music, bridging the medieval and Renaissance worlds with his innovations. His works continue to inspire musicians, scholars, and listeners alike, securing his place as a foundational figure in Western music history.

• Leech-Wilkinson, Daniel. The Modern Invention of Medieval Music: Scholarship, Ideology, Performance. Cambridge University Press, 2002.

• Earp, Lawrence. Guillaume de Machaut: A Guide to Research. Routledge, 1995.

• Bent, Margaret. Studies in the Early Polyphonic Mass. Princeton University Press, 1987.

• Machaut, Guillaume de. Messe de Nostre Dame, recordings by The Hilliard Ensemble and Gothic Voices.